#46 - Ryan & Steve

The North Sea

Exquisite Idols

2007

Exquisite Idols is quite possibly the best release from Type Records. During the college years, I became a devout fan of this Manchester, England based label and religiously purchased their output. The label released several beautiful cinematic records of ambient, electronic or compositional pieces. However, it was in 2007 when the label started branching out with new genres and sounds without betraying the original scope of the label.

Exquisite Idols is an accomplished record by The North Sea (one of many solo monikers of Brad Rose) in that it explores the diverse sonic palates of ambient, folk, psychedelia, pop and electronic. I think this is what it would sound like to get drunk on absinthe and take a stroll down a dusty Georgian road on a hot summer day. -R.C.

This gorgeous album only gets better with each listen. Exquisite Idols might just be the perfect segway record to introduce traditional indie-rock fans to noise music. The songs are simple, yet their production gives them so much reverb and effects that it’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard…and I mean that in a really good way! For me, there’s not a moment on The North Sea’s brilliant work that ever goes south :). - Phil